Nation’s largest retail group forecasts 4.4% annual sales gain despite volatility
The 2026 sales forecast exceeds the 3.6% average annual sales growth over the past 10 years, excluding the pandemic period from 2020 to 2022.
Associated Press
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Iran war has US farmers worried about cost, availability of fertilizer
Thousands of farmers across the country will pay far more this spring than they expected for fertilizer that is essential to their crops.
Fed keeps key rate unchanged as Powell vows to stay until DOJ probe is done
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the central bank remained concerned about inflation that was still stubbornly elevated even before the Iran conflict’s impact on gas prices.
US wholesale prices see biggest rise in a year
U.S. wholesale prices came in hotter than expected in February, driven partly by a sharp increase in food costs.
WNBA, players union reach ‘transformative’ agreement in principle
Now, the league will have a sprint over the next two months to get to opening day on May 8.
US drivers see gas prices jump to highest level since 2023 as Iran war drags on
In Indiana, average gasoline prices have climbed by more than a $1 per gallon over the past month.
Federal Reserve could signal no interest rate cuts this year in wake of Iran war
The Fed will release a set of quarterly projections on Wednesday, and they could alter their forecast of one rate cut this year to zero.
Live Nation ticketing worker regrets calling customers stupid, he says at antitrust trial
The Justice Department reached a settlement with Live Nation last week to open up some ticketing and promotional markets to more competition, but 30 states are still pursuing the case.
New tax laws likely to increase number of donors but could reduce donations to nonprofits
The report published Tuesday reflects how “top heavy” charitable giving is, meaning the largest donors and corporations have an outsized impact on overall giving trends.
Amazon offering 1-hour and 3-hour deliveries for customers willing to pay extra
The e-commerce colossus said customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can now choose to have orders from its inventory of 90,000 items delivered in three hours.
WNBA and players’ union report progress in CBA talks as key issues remain
In-person talks entered a seventh consecutive day Monday afternoon after the previous session ended around 3 a.m. in the morning.
Storms cancel more US flights as TSA remains under pressure from partial government shutdown
More than 4,800 flights scheduled to fly into, out of or within the U.S. on Monday were called off.
Judge blocks US government from slimming down vaccine recommendations
The order issued Monday is the latest development in a lawsuit filed last July by the American Academy of Pediatrics and some other medical groups.
Proposed $10.5B deal would create national self-storage giant
The deal, if approved, would combine the largest and the fourth-largest U.S. self-storage companies by market capitalization.
CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security, pay airport workers
The CEOs noted that with spring break in full swing, FIFA’s World Cup 2026 approaching and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are high.
Economy’s 4Q performance downgraded sharply from initial estimate
The U.S. economy, hobbled by last fall’s 43-day government shutdown, advanced at an unexpectedly sluggish rate from October through December, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Job openings rise to better-than-expected 7M despite sluggish labor market
Layoffs fell slightly and the number of Americans quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects — slipped modestly.
Senate passes bipartisan housing bill to improve access and affordability
The bill would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals.
Lawyers in landmark social media addiction trial make final appeals to jury
The case has been selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could impact how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies are likely to play out.
WNBA and its players’ union meet for a 3rd straight day as they seek new labor deal
The sides started Thursday’s discussions around 11 a.m. Nine hours later, they were still talking. The main sticking point is still revenue sharing.